An MRI scanner is one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in a hospital, and one of the least forgiving when something goes wrong — a magnet issue, a gradient coil fault, or an overlooked cooling problem can take a multi-million-pound machine offline for days. This training course from the Arab British Fellowship Training Academy is built specifically around the GE Excite and GEMS MRI family, giving biomedical engineers and MRI technicians the system-specific knowledge needed to keep these machines running safely and reliably.

Starting from the physics that makes MRI possible, the course works through the magnet, gradient coils, RF coils, cooling and ventilation, and power systems that make up a GE Excite or GEMS scanner, before moving into calibration, advanced troubleshooting, safety compliance, and how to plan for system upgrades. Participants finish with a practical maintenance framework they can apply directly in a clinical engineering role.

What You'll Be Able to Do

• Explain the basic physics of MRI and the architecture of GE Excite and GEMS systems.
• Maintain and troubleshoot the magnet, gradient coils, and RF coil systems.
• Manage cooling, ventilation, power supply, and backup systems for MRI machines.
• Diagnose complex hardware and software issues, including electromagnetic interference.
• Build preventive maintenance plans and perform system and image-quality calibration.
• Apply MRI safety guidelines and regulatory compliance standards.
• Plan and test system upgrades, and stay current with emerging MRI technology.

Who Should Attend?

• MRI technicians and technologists working with GE Excite and GEMS systems
• Biomedical engineers and service technicians responsible for MRI repair and maintenance
• Healthcare professionals expanding their MRI maintenance knowledge
• Individuals specialising in MRI equipment servicing and diagnostics

Module 1: GE MRI Systems and the Physics Behind Them

• Introduction to GE Excite and GEMS platforms and their role in clinical imaging
• MRI physics and image generation
• Magnetic fields, RF pulses, gradient systems, and safety concerns

Module 2: The Magnet and Gradient System

• The superconducting magnet's role, routine checks, and calibration
• Troubleshooting magnet-related issues
• Gradient coil maintenance and identifying coil failures

Module 3: Inside GE Excite and GEMS Architecture

• Architecture and control system of GE Excite systems
• GEMS MRI system components, modules, and configurations
• Troubleshooting common issues across both platforms

Module 4: Routine Maintenance for GE Excite and GEMS

• System checks, calibrations, and preventive maintenance for GE Excite
• Diagnostic checks, component replacement, and upgrades for GEMS
• Cleaning and cooling procedures for both systems

Module 5: RF Coils and Image Quality

• RF coil functions, maintenance tasks, and troubleshooting
• Achieving optimal image quality through RF coil maintenance
• Correcting distortions, artifacts, and calibration best practices

Module 6: Cooling, Ventilation, and Power Systems

• Cooling system maintenance and troubleshooting
• Ventilation systems and airflow diagnostics in MRI rooms
• Power supply, surge protection, and backup systems

Module 7: Advanced Troubleshooting

• Diagnosing complex magnet, gradient, and RF coil issues
• Resolving software and hardware errors
• Identifying and addressing electromagnetic interference

Module 8: Preventive Maintenance and Calibration

• Creating a preventive maintenance plan and tracking early wear signs
• Periodic system calibration for magnet, gradient, and RF systems
• Image quality calibration and correcting discrepancies

Module 9: Safety, Compliance, and Upgrades

• MRI safety guidelines for operators, patients, and equipment
• Regulatory standards and compliance auditing
• Planning, testing, and managing system upgrades

Module 10: The Future of MRI Servicing

• The role of AI and automation in modern MRI systems
• Emerging imaging capabilities and machine design innovations
• Adapting maintenance strategies and continuous professional development